U.S. patent application number 15/875536 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-20 for conveyor, dryer, and printer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Satoru Nagasawa, Ken Onodera, Toshihiro Yoshinuma. Invention is credited to Satoru Nagasawa, Ken Onodera, Toshihiro Yoshinuma.
Application Number | 20180264848 15/875536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63521504 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180264848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagasawa; Satoru ; et
al. |
September 20, 2018 |
CONVEYOR, DRYER, AND PRINTER
Abstract
A conveyor for printer includes, a first guide, a second guide
disposed separately from the first guide, a third guide disposed
between the first guide and the second guide, the first guide, the
second guide, and the third guide defining a conveyance path along
which a medium is conveyed, and a loading guide movable to guide
the medium between the first guide and the second guide. The third
guide is movable between a first position and a second position.
The third guide presses the medium to the first guide and the
second guide at the first position and is separated from the medium
at the second position. The loading guide is disposed at a guiding
position to guide the medium and is disposed at a retracted
position retracted from the guiding position in response to the
third guide disposed at the first position.
Inventors: |
Nagasawa; Satoru; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Onodera; Ken; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Yoshinuma; Toshihiro; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nagasawa; Satoru
Onodera; Ken
Yoshinuma; Toshihiro |
Kanagawa
Kanagawa
Kanagawa |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
63521504 |
Appl. No.: |
15/875536 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F26B 3/28 20130101; B41J
2/175 20130101; B41J 11/002 20130101; F26B 13/18 20130101; B41J
15/16 20130101; F26B 13/12 20130101; B41J 13/076 20130101; B41J
13/08 20130101; B41J 15/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41J 11/00 20060101
B41J011/00; B41J 13/08 20060101 B41J013/08; F26B 3/28 20060101
F26B003/28; B41J 2/175 20060101 B41J002/175; B41J 13/076 20060101
B41J013/076; B41J 15/16 20060101 B41J015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2017 |
JP |
2017-050936 |
Claims
1. A conveyor for a printer, comprising: a first guide; a second
guide disposed separately from the first guide; a third guide
disposed between the first guide and the second guide, the first
guide, the second guide, and the third guide defining a conveyance
path along which a medium is conveyed; and a loading guide movable
to guide the medium between the first guide and the second guide,
the third guide movable between a first position and a second
position, the third guide pressing the medium to the first guide
and the second guide at the first position, the third guide
separated from the medium at the second position, the loading guide
disposed at a guiding position to guide the medium, and the loading
guide disposed at a retracted position retracted from the guiding
position in response to the third guide disposed at the first
position.
2. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the loading guide is
rotatable about an axis orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of
the medium along a surface of the medium, and the loading guide is
movable in a direction along the axis.
3. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the loading guide is
movable in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveyance of
the medium along a surface of the medium.
4. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the loading guide
includes a guide having a curved shape concaved toward the third
guide.
5. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the loading guide has
a guide, ends of which are concaved toward the third guide, and the
guide has a wall rising obliquely on downstream side in a direction
of conveyance of the medium.
6. The conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of first guides and a plurality of second guides arranged
in an arc.
7. The conveyor according to claim 6, further comprising a
plurality of third guides and a plurality of loading guides,
wherein each of the plurality of first guides, the plurality of
second guides, and the plurality of third guides includes rollers,
the conveyance path includes a first path defined by an outer
region of the plurality of first guides and the plurality of second
guides arranged in the arc and a second path defined by an inner
region of the plurality of first guides and the plurality of the
second guide arranged in the arc, and the plurality of third guides
is disposed in the second path to form the second path.
8. The conveyor according to claim 7, wherein the medium is first
conveyed through the first path while contacting the outer region
of the plurality of first guides and the plurality of second guides
and then conveyed through the second path while contacting the
inner region of the plurality of first guides and the plurality of
second guides.
9. A dryer for drying a medium to be conveyed to which a liquid is
applied, the dryer comprising the conveyor according to claim
1.
10. The dryer according to claim 9, wherein the first guide and the
second guide are heating rollers.
11. A dryer for drying a medium to which a liquid is applied, the
dryer comprising: a heating drum to heat and dry the medium; a
plurality of heating rollers disposed separately around the heating
drum, defining a conveyance path along which the medium is conveyed
while contacting the plurality of heating rollers; a pressing
roller disposed between adjacent two of the plurality of heating
rollers; and a loading guide movable to guide the medium along an
inner region of the plurality of heating rollers defined by the
plurality of heating rollers and the heating drum, the pressing
roller movable between a first position and a second position, the
pressing roller pressing the medium to the plurality of heating
roller at the first position, the pressing roller separated from
the medium at the second position, the loading guide disposed at a
guiding position to guide the medium, and the loading guide
disposed at a retracted position retracted from the guiding
position in response to the pressing roller disposed at the first
position.
12. The dryer according to claim 11, wherein the loading guide is
disposed at the guiding position in response to the pressing roller
disposed at the second position.
13. A printer comprising: a liquid applier to apply liquid to a
medium; and the dryer according to claim 9.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is based on and claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application
No. 2017-050936, filed on Mar. 16, 2017 in the Japan Patent Office,
the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a
conveyor, a dryer, and a printer.
Related Art
[0003] A printer that uses a continuous medium such as a continuous
roll of paper or the like is known. The printer includes a feeding
roller to feed the continuous medium and a winding roller to wind
the continuous medium. A non-linear conveyance path is provided
between the feeding roller and the winding roller, along which the
continuous medium is conveyed from the feeding roller to the
winding roller.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an aspect of this disclosure, a novel conveyor for a
printer includes a first guide, a second guide disposed separately
from the first guide, a third guide disposed between the first
guide and the second guide, the first guide, the second guide, and
the third guide defining a conveyance path along which a medium is
conveyed, and a loading guide movable to guide the medium between
the first guide and the second guide. The third guide is movable
between a first position and a second position. The third guide
presses the medium to the first guide and the second guide at the
first position, and the third guide is separated from the medium at
the second position. The loading guide is disposed at a guiding
position to guide the medium. The loading guide is disposed at a
retracted position retracted from the guiding position in response
to the third guide disposed at the first position.
[0005] In another aspect of this disclosure, a novel dryer for
drying a medium to which a liquid is applied, the dryer includes a
heating drum to heat and dry the medium, a plurality of heating
rollers disposed separately around the heating drum that define a
conveyance path along which the medium is conveyed while contacting
the plurality of heating rollers, a pressing roller disposed
between adjacent two of the plurality of heating rollers, and a
loading guide movable to guide the medium along an inner region of
the plurality of heating rollers defined by the plurality of
heating rollers and the heating drum. The pressing roller is
movable between a first position and a second position. The
pressing roller presses the medium to the plurality of heating
roller at the first position, and the pressing roller is separated
from the medium at the second position. The loading guide is
disposed at a guiding position to guide the medium, and the loading
guide is disposed at a retracted position retracted from the
guiding position in response to the pressing roller disposed at the
first position.
[0006] In still another aspect of this disclosure, a novel printer
includes a liquid applier to apply liquid to a medium, a conveyor
as described above, and a dryer as described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The aforementioned and other aspects, features, and
advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood by
reference to the following detailed description when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a printer according to a
first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a dryer in the first
embodiment;
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of a heating roller and a
heating drum illustrating a winding angle of a continuous sheet to
the heating roller and the heating drum;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating a relation between diameters
of the heating rollers and cockling;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of two adjacent heating
rollers and loading guides illustrating the conveyor of the dryer
according to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the conveyor seen from a direction
indicated by arrow C in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIGS. 7A through 7C are plan views of the conveyor
illustrating an operation of the loading guides;
[0015] FIGS. 8A through 8C are side views of the conveyor
illustrating the operation of the loading guides;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of a moving mechanism of a pressing
roller;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the dryer illustrating a
loading operation of the continuous sheet to the dryer;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view of the dryer illustrating the loading
operation subsequent to FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the dryer illustrating the loading
operation subsequent to FIG. 11;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a side view of the dryer illustrating the loading
operation subsequent to FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a side view of the dryer illustrating the loading
operation subsequent to FIG. 13;
[0022] FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic front views of the loading
guide of the conveyor according to a second embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 16A through 16C are side views of the loading guide of
the conveyor according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic side views of the loading
guide of the conveyor according to a fourth embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a printer according to a
fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments
of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit
the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be
considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings,
specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However,
the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be
limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be
understood that each specific element includes all technical
equivalents that have the same function, operate in a similar
manner, and achieve similar results.
[0028] Although the embodiments are described with technical
limitations with reference to the attached drawings, such
description is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure
and all of the components or elements described in the embodiments
of this disclosure are not necessarily indispensable. As used
herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise.
[0029] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, embodiments of the present disclosure are described
below.
[0030] A printer 1000 according to a first embodiment of the
present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is
a schematic front view of the printer 1000.
[0031] The printer 1000 is an inkjet recording apparatus, and
includes a liquid applier 101 including a plurality of liquid
discharge head 111 serving as a liquid applicator, to discharge and
apply ink onto a continuous sheet 110. The ink is liquid of desired
colors. The continuous sheet 110 is a medium (or member) to be
conveyed. Hereinafter, "the liquid discharge head" is simply
referred to as the "the head". Further, the "medium to be conveyed"
is simply referred to as "medium".
[0032] The liquid applier 101 includes, for example, full-line
heads 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D (referred to as "heads 111" unless
colors distinguished) of four colors are disposed in this order
from the upstream side in a medium conveyance direction (MCD) of
the continuous sheet 110.
[0033] The medium conveyance direction (MCD) is a direction of
conveyance of the medium. The heads 111 respectively applies
liquids of the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow
(Y) onto the continuous sheet 110. Note that the number and types
of color are not limited to the above-described four colors of K,
C, M, and Y and may be any other suitable number and types.
[0034] The continuous sheet 110 fed from a feeding roller 102 is
sent to a conveyance guide 113, which is disposed to face the
liquid applier 101, by conveyance rollers 112 of a conveyance unit
103 and is conveyed by being guided by the conveyance guide
113.
[0035] The continuous sheet 110 onto which the liquid is applied by
the liquid applier 101 passes a dryer 104 according to the present
embodiment, and is sent by ejection rollers 114 via guiding rollers
115 and 116 and wound around a winding roller 105. The dryer 104
includes a conveyor 300 according to the present disclosure.
[0036] Next, the dryer according to the first embodiment is
described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross
sectional view of the dryer 104.
[0037] The dryer 104 includes ten heating rollers 11 (11A to 11J),
the heating drum 12, and pressing rollers 13 (13A to 13J). The
heating rollers 11 serve as heaters to contact and heat a surface
of the continuous sheet 110, on which the liquid is applied. The
pressing rollers 13 serve as a third guide to presses the
continuous sheet 110 against the heating rollers 11.
[0038] The dryer 104 further includes guide rollers 17 (17A to 17D)
that guide the continuous sheet 110 to the heating roller 11A
disposed at the most upstream in the medium conveyance direction
(MCD), a guide roller 17E to wind the continuous sheet 110 around
the heating drum 12, and heating rollers 14A and 14B to guide the
continuous sheet 110 drawn out from the heating drum 12 while
heating the continuous sheet 110.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a conveyance path is
configured such that a contact distance L2 between a contact face
12a of the heating drum 12 and the continuous sheet 110 is longer
than a contact distance L1 between a contact face 11g of each of
the heating rollers 11A to 11E and the continuous sheet 110.
[0040] The "contact distance" is a distance in which the continuous
sheet 110 contacts a circumferential surface of the heating drum 12
and the heating roller 11 in a direction along a circumferential
direction of the heating drum 12 and the heating roller 11 (the
medium feeding direction).
[0041] When the dryer 104 includes a curved surface heater that has
a curved surface as a contact face, the contact distance is a
distance in which the continuous sheet 110 is in contact with the
curved surface in the direction (medium feeding direction) along
the circumferential direction of the curved surface.
[0042] Here, a winding angle .theta.2 of the continuous sheet 110
with respect to the contact face 12a of the heating drum 12 is
greater than a winding angle .theta.1 of the continuous sheet 110
with respect to the contact face 11g of the heating roller 11
(.theta.2>.theta.1).
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the winding angles
.theta.2 and .theta.1 (collectively referred to as "winding angle
.theta.") indicate angles of a point Ps at which the contact of the
continuous sheet 110 with the contact faces 12a and 11g starts and
a point Pe at which the contact of the continuous sheet 110 with
the contact faces 12a and 11g ends, with respect to a center O.
[0044] Therefore, in a case where the winding angle .theta.
increases, the contact distance also increases so long as the
rotary bodies have the same diameter, and even in a case where the
winding angles .theta. are identical to each other, the contact
distance increases as the diameter of the rotary body
increases.
[0045] In the present embodiment, the diameter of the heating drum
12 is greater than the diameter of the heating roller 11, and the
winding angle .theta.2 is greater than the winding angle .theta.1,
and thus, in any case, the contact distance L2 between the contact
face 12a of the heating drum 12 and the continuous sheet 110 is
longer than the contact distance L1 between the contact face 11g of
the heating roller 11 and the continuous sheet 110.
[0046] As described above, even in a case where the winding angles
.theta. are identical to each other, the contact distance increases
as the diameter of the rotary body increases. Therefore, by setting
the heating drum 12 and the heating roller 11 to have the same
diameter, and the winding angle .theta.2 to be greater than the
winding angle .theta.1, the contact distance L2 between the contact
face 12a of the heating drum 12 and the continuous sheet 110 is
longer than the contact distance L1 between the contact face 11g of
the heating roller 11 and the continuous sheet 110.
[0047] Such a configuration can reduce cockling and improve drying
efficiency.
[0048] For example, in a state where time does not elapse from the
liquid application, the strength of the continuous sheet 110
decreases. Accordingly, it may be difficult to bring a rear surface
the continuous sheet 110 closely into contact with a
circumferential surface (a contact face) of the rotary body in a
wide range (a long contact distance).
[0049] Hence, in an initial state where the applied liquid is not
dried, the winding angle .theta. of the continuous sheet 110 with
respect to the heating roller 11 is set to be small, and thus, the
contact distance is shortened.
[0050] Here, by increasing the curvature of the heating roller 11,
a tensile force generated at the time of conveyance of the
continuous sheet 110 is changed to a pressing force on a contact
portion of the continuous sheet 110 with the heating roller 11.
Thus, a contact state of the continuous sheet 110 with the heating
roller 11 becomes even. In such a state, cockling or wrinkles do
not occur on the continuous sheet 110. When the continuous sheet
110 passes through the heating roller 11, a heat required for
evenly drying the liquid on the continuous sheet 110 can be
supplied to the continuous sheet 110.
[0051] Accordingly, the continuous sheet 110, in which the cockling
is reduced and the drying is performed, can closely contact the
contact face of the rotary body even when the contact distance of
the continuous sheet 110 with the rotary body increases.
[0052] Next, an example of a relation between the roller diameter
of the heating roller 11 and the cockling of the continuous sheet
110 is described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a table of results measuring a height of cockling
and a pitch of cockling occurring in the continuous sheet 110 while
changing the diameter of the heating roller 11. FIG. 4 further
illustrates a presence or an absence of visually observable
cockling checked by visual inspection while changing the diameter
of the heating roller 11.
[0054] From this result, in this example, it is known that the
cockling height is almost halved compared with a case where the
diameter of the heating roller 11 is 250 mm, by setting the
diameter of the heating roller 11 to 200 mm, and the cockling
disappears by setting the diameter of the heating roller 11 to be
100 mm or less.
[0055] Therefore, the diameter of the heating roller 11 is
preferably 200 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less.
[0056] Therefore, in the heating drum 12 disposed downstream from
the heating roller 11, by increasing the contact distance L2
between the continuous sheet 110 and the heating drum 12, the
present embodiment can supply heat to the continuous sheet 110 in a
short time.
[0057] Thus, the present embodiment can improve the drying
efficiency and dry the continuous sheet 110 in a short time.
[0058] Further, ten heating rollers 11 (11A to 11J) are disposed to
surround the heating drum 12.
[0059] Here, the heating rollers 11 are disposed equidistantly from
the center of the heating drum 12 to the center of each of the
heating rollers 11. However, the center of the heating drum 12 need
not be coincident with the center of a circular arc of the heating
rollers 11, which are disposed in the circular arc arrangement.
[0060] Accordingly, a load is not applied to the continuous sheet
110 when the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed in contact with the
plurality of heating rollers 11, thus allowing the continuous sheet
110 to be conveyed with a suitable tensile force.
[0061] Such a configuration can increase the number of heating
rollers 11 and increase the drying rate while reducing an increase
in the size of the apparatus.
[0062] The circumferential surface of the heating roller 11 on the
heating drum 12 side is referred to as an inner region, and the
circumferential surface of the heating roller 11 on a side opposite
to the heating drum 12 is referred to as an outer region. In this
case, since the heating roller 11 rotates, the circumferential
portion to be the inner region and the outer region sequentially
changes.
[0063] Here, the continuous sheet 110 guided by the guide roller
17D is conveyed in D1 direction, which is a first direction, while
contacting a portion of the outer region of the circumferential
surface of the heating roller 11A to 11J, and reaches the
circumferential surface of the heating drum 12. The continuous
sheet 110 contacts approximately the entire circumference of the
heating drum 12, and passes through the heating drum 12. Then, the
continuous sheet 110 is guided again to the heating roller 11J by
the guide roller 17E.
[0064] The continuous sheet 110 guided by the heating roller 11J is
pressed by the pressing rollers 13A to 13J against the inner region
of the circumferential surface of the heating rollers 11J to 11A.
The continuous sheet 110 is guided and conveyed in a second
direction (D2 direction) different with the first direction (D1
direction) in a state contacting the heating rollers 11J to 11A
again.
[0065] As described above, the conveyance path is a path in which
the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed while contacting the heating
rollers 11A to 11J. The conveyance path includes a first path Y1
and a second path Y2. In the first path Y1, the continuous sheet
110 is conveyed in the first direction (D1 direction) while
contacting the plurality of heating rollers 11A to 11J. In the
second path Y2, the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed in the second
direction (D2 direction) while contacting the plurality of heating
rollers 11J to 11A, to which the continuous sheet 110 contacts in
the first path Y1, again.
[0066] In this manner, the present embodiment improves the drying
rate by contacting the continuous sheet 110 with the contact face
(the circumferential surface) of the heating roller 11 twice at
different positions simultaneously.
[0067] Next, the conveyor 300 according to the present disclosure
in the dryer is described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5
is a side view of a portion of two adjacent heating rollers 11 of
the conveyor 300. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the conveyor 300
similarly seen from a direction of the arrow C in FIG. 2.
[0068] The conveyor 300 in the dryer 104 includes the two adjacent
heating rollers 11 arranged separately from each other and a
pressing roller 13 arranged between the two adjacent heating
rollers 11.
[0069] Here, when the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed along the
second path Y2 (D2 direction), the heating roller 11a on an
upstream side, for example, among the two adjacent heating rollers
11a and 11b arranged separately constitutes the first guide, and
the heating roller 11b on a downstream side constitutes a second
guide.
[0070] For example, the heating roller 11J serves as a first guide
between the heating rollers 11J and 11I, and the heating roller 11I
serves as a second guide. Further, the heating roller 11I serves as
a first guide between the heating rollers 11I and 11H, and the
heating roller 11H serves as a second guide.
[0071] The pressing roller 13 disposed between the heating rollers
11a and 11b and forming a non-linear conveyance path 20 between the
heating rollers 11a and 11b constitutes a third guide.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pressing roller 13 is movable
between a first position (pressing position) and a second position
(retracted position). The first position is illustrated by a solid
line forming the conveyance path 20 where the continuous sheet 110
is pressed against the heating rollers 11a and 11b. In the second
position (retracted position) illustrated by a broken line, the
continuous sheet 110 is not pressed against the heating rollers 11a
and 11b. In other words, the pressing roller 13 is separated from
the continuous sheet 110 at the second position.
[0073] When loading the continuous sheet 110, the pressing roller
13 moves to the retracted position that is away from a common-outer
tangent-line N1 between the heating rollers 11a and 11b, thereby
facilitating the passage of the continuous sheet 110. When the
continuous sheet 110 is conveyed, the pressing roller 13 moves to
the pressing position to form a non-linear (bent) conveyance path
20 between the heating rollers 11a and 11b. The pressing position
of the pressing roller 13 is disposed at a contact point between
the pressing roller 13 and the continuous sheet 110. The contact
point is disposed at a center (rotation axis) side of the heating
rollers 11a and 11b with respect to the common-outer tangent-line
N1 between the heating rollers 11a and 11b in a direction indicated
by arrow H in FIG. 5.
[0074] The dryer 104 includes loading guides 21. The loading guides
21 guide the continuous sheet 110 when the continuous sheet 110 as
a medium to be conveyed is loaded in the dryer 104. The loading
guides 21 retract from a guiding position when the continuous sheet
110 is conveyed and dried by the heating rollers 11a and 11b.
[0075] The loading guides 21 are L-shaped rod-like members and are
held by guide rotating members 22. The guide rotating members 22
are held by apparatus structural bodies such as side plates 40
disposed on both sides of the conveyance path 20.
[0076] The loading guides 21 are rotatable in a direction of arrow
F between a guiding position illustrated by a solid line in FIG. 5
capable of guiding the continuous sheet 110 and a retracted
position illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 5 retracted from
the conveyance path 20.
[0077] That is, the loading guides 21 are rotatable about an axis
(also an axis of the guide rotating members 22) orthogonal to the
medium conveyance direction (MCD) of the continuous sheet 110 along
a surface of the continuous sheet 110 as the medium. Here, the
medium conveyance direction (MCD) is the second path indicated by
arrow Y2 in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0078] As indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6, the loading guides
21 are movable between a guiding position and a retraction
preparing position. At the guiding position, the loading guides 21
guide the continuous sheet 110. As indicated by a broken line in
FIG. 6, at the retraction preparing position, the loading guides 21
are disposed within the gap 41 located between both ends of the
continuous sheet 110 and the side plates 40.
[0079] Thus, the loading guides 21 do not interfere with the
continuous sheet 110 during conveying the continuous sheet 110. In
other words, the loading guide 21 is also movable in an axial
direction as illustrated by arrow E in FIG. 6. The axial direction
is a direction orthogonal to the medium conveyance direction (MCD)
of the continuous sheet 110 along the surface of the continuous
sheet 110 as the medium.
[0080] A rotational mechanism of the loading guides 21 is embodied
by, for example, a hand wheel attached to a protruding portion of
one end of the loading guide 21 protruding from the side plate 40.
Thus, the loading guides 21 are directly rotated by the hand wheel.
However, the rotational mechanism of the loading guide 21 is not
limited the embodiment described above. For example, a tool
mounting hole may be formed in the protruding portion of the
loading guide 21 so as to be rotatable by a tool.
[0081] Therefore, the loading guide 21 is rotated and moved to the
retracted position from a state in which the loading guide 21 has
been moved to the retraction preparing position in order to move
the loading guide 21 from the guiding position to the retracted
position. Further, the loading guide 21 is moved to the guiding
position from a state in which the loading guide 21 has been
rotated and moved to the retraction preparing position from the
retracted position when the loading guide 21 is moved from the
retracted position to the guiding position.
[0082] Next, an operation of the loading guides 21 are described
with reference to FIGS. 7A through 7C and FIGS. 8A through 8C.
FIGS. 7A through 7C are plan views of the loading guides 21. FIG.
8A through 8C are plan views of the loading guides 21.
[0083] When loading the continuous sheet 110 along the heating
rollers 11a and 11b of the conveyor 300, the pressing roller 13
moves to the retracted position indicated by broken line in FIG. 5
(the position indicated in FIGS. 7C and 8C).
[0084] Then, the loading guide 21 is rotated from the retracted
position (the position illustrated by the broken line in FIG. 5) as
illustrated in FIG. 7C and FIG. 8C to the retraction preparing
position as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 8B. Then, as illustrated in
FIGS. 7A and 8A, the loading guide 21 is moved to the guiding
position by pushed in a position opposite a direction of arrow E1
in FIG. 7B for guiding the continuous sheet 110.
[0085] In this state, the continuous sheet 110 is moved toward the
heating roller 11b from the heating roller 11a. At this time, a
leading end of the continuous sheet 110 is guided by the loading
guide 21. Thus, the leading end of the continuous sheet 110 does
not enter a gap between the heating rollers 11a and 11b.
[0086] As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 8A, the leading
end of the continuous sheet 110 reaches the heating roller 11b.
[0087] Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the loading guide
21 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow E1 to the
retraction preparing position disposed inside a gap 41 formed
between each end of the continuous sheet 110 and the side plate 40.
Thus, the loading guide 21 is rotatable without interfering with
the loaded continuous sheet 110.
[0088] Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 8C, the loading guide
21 is rotated in a direction indicated by arrow F1 to move to the
retracted position. Further, the pressing roller 13 is moved to the
pressing position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8C in a
direction indicated by arrow H1 as illustrated in FIG. 8C.
[0089] Thus, the loading guide 21 retracted to the retracted
position is no longer in contact with the loaded continuous sheet
110. In other words, the loading guide 21 is in a position not
guiding the continuous sheet 110 when the continuous sheet 110 is
conveyed after the printing operation is started.
[0090] In this way, even in the non-linear conveyance path 20, it
is possible to easily load the continuous sheet 110 as the medium.
When the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed, the present embodiment
can prevent damage of the continuous sheet 110 occurred when the
continuous sheet 110 rubs against the loading guide 21 or when both
ends of the continuous sheet 110 in a width direction is caught by
the loading guide 21.
[0091] Thus, the loading guide 21 is disposed at a guiding position
to guide the medium (continuous sheet) 110 in response to the third
guide (pressing rollers 13) disposed at the second position
(retracted position). The loading guide 21 is disposed at a
retracted position retracted from the guiding position in response
to the third guide (pressing rollers 13) disposed at the first
position (pressing position).
[0092] Here, an example of a moving mechanism of the pressing
rollers 13 is described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an
explanatory side view of the moving mechanism of the pressing
rollers 13.
[0093] The pressing rollers 13 are rotatably held by a roller
holder 46 movably fitted in a guide groove 45 provided in the side
plate 40. Bearings 47 that are in contact with the guide groove 45
are arranged at four corners of the roller holder 46.
[0094] The roller holder 46 is connected to the sprocket 72 via a
link mechanism 71. The sprocket 72 is connected to the sprocket 74
via a chain 73. The sprocket 74 is rotationally driven by a manual
hand wheel 75 (or an actuator such as a motor).
[0095] As a result, by rotating the sprocket 74 in the direction of
the arrow Y4 in FIG. 9, the roller holder 46 moves in the direction
of the arrow Y3 via the chain 73, the sprocket 72, and the link
mechanism 71. Thus, the pressing roller 13 moves to the pressing
position. When the sprocket 74 is rotated in the direction opposite
to the direction of the arrow Y4 in FIG. 9, the roller holder 46
moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow Y3.
Thus, the pressing roller 13 moves to the retracted position.
[0096] Next, referring to FIGS. 10 through 14, the operation of
loading the continuous sheet 110 in the dryer 104 including the
above-described conveyor 300 according to the present disclosure.
FIGS. 10 through 14 are side views used illustrating the operation
of loading the continuous sheet 110.
[0097] The movable loading guide 21 described above is disposed
between each of the heating rollers 11. Fixed guides 25a to 25c
fixed to the dryer 104 guide the continuous sheet 110. The fixed
guides 25a to 25c are disposed in a region where the fixed guides
25a to 25c do not interfere with the pressing rollers 13.
[0098] First, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when loading the
continuous sheet 110 in the dryer 104, the pressing roller 13 is
moved to the retracted position. Thus, a space between the pressing
rollers 13 and the heating rollers 11 is opened. Further, the
loading guides 21 move to the guiding position. Arrows in FIG. 10
indicate the medium conveyance direction (sheet passing direction)
of the continuous sheet 110.
[0099] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the continuous sheet 110 is
wound around the outer periphery of the heating drum 12 through
outer regions of the guide rollers 17A to 17D and outer regions of
the heating rollers 11A to 11J, and is guided to the guide roller
17E from the heating drum 12.
[0100] While guiding the leading end of the continuous sheet 110
reached to the guide roller 17E by the guide member 25c, the
leading end of the continuous sheet 110 is passed an outer
periphery of the guide roller 17E. Then, the medium conveyance
direction of the continuous sheet 110 is reversed from the first
direction Y1 to the second direction Y2.
[0101] Then, the leading end of the continuous sheet 110 is guided
by the loading guide 21 and moved along a path 27 indicated by a
dashed line to reach the heating roller 14A via the guide members
25b and 25c. The leading end of the continuous sheet 110 then
passes through the heating roller 14B and is drawn out of the dryer
104. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the continuous sheet
110 passes through the inside of the conveyor 300 of the dryer
104.
[0102] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the loading guides 21 are
withdrawn to the retracted position, and the pressing rollers 13
are moved to the pressing position as illustrated in FIG. 14. Thus,
the continuous sheet 110 is loaded along the second path Y2 so that
the printer 1000 can start the printing operation.
[0103] Then, as described above, when the printer 1000 starts the
printing operation, the continuous sheet 110 is conveyed to the
dryer 104. At this time, the loading guide 21 is at the retracted
position and does not guide the continuous sheet 110.
[0104] Thus, the present embodiment can improve a workability of
loading the continuous sheet 110 in the dryer 104 by providing the
loading guides 21 that guides the continuous sheet 110 when loading
the continuous sheet 110 and moves to the retracted position not
guiding the continuous sheet 110 when the continuous sheet 110 is
conveyed by the conveyor 300 of the dryer 104.
[0105] Particularly, in this dryer 104, a plurality of heating
rollers 11 serving as guides are disposed in an arc shape. The
present embodiment can prevent the leading end of the continuous
sheet 110 to enter into a space between the heating rollers 11 when
the continuous sheet 110 passes through the outer region (first
path Y1).
[0106] However, when the continuous sheet 110 is passed through the
inner region (the second path Y2) of the plurality of heating
rollers 11, even if the pressing roller 13 is separated, the
leading end of the continuous sheet 110 hits the downstream heating
roller 11. Thus, the continuous sheet 110 easily enters into a
space between the two heating rollers 11. Thus, the conveyor 300
provided with the loading guide 21 can prevent the leading end of
the continuous sheet 110 from contacting a downstream side of the
heating roller 11 and entering into the space between two heating
rollers 11. Thus, the present embodiment facilitates the loading
operation of the continuous sheet 110.
[0107] In this case, if the loading guide 21 is fixedly arranged
between the two heating rollers 11, the continuous sheet 110 may be
damaged by contacting with the loading guide 21 during conveying
the continuous sheet 110. Therefore, the present embodiment has a
configuration in which the loading guides 21 are retracted to the
retracted position where the loading guides 21 do not guide the
continuous sheet 110 during conveying the continuous sheet 110.
[0108] Thus, the present embodiment can prevent the continuous
sheet 110 from being damaged during conveying the continuous sheet
110. At the same time, the present embodiment can facilitate the
loading operation of the continuous sheet 110 to the dryer 104.
[0109] The present embodiment has a configuration in which a
plurality of first to third guides is arranged in an arc (or,
similarly, in a curved shape).
[0110] In this configuration, the leading end of the continuous
sheet 110 is easily entering into a space between the first guide
and the second guide during loading the continuous sheet 110 to the
dryer 104.
[0111] Therefore, the present embodiment makes the loading
operation easier by disposing the loading guide 21 at each space
between the first guide and the second guide.
[0112] Thus, the conveyor 300 includes a plurality of the first
guides and a plurality of the second guides (heating rollers 11)
arranged in an arc.
[0113] Further, the conveyor 300 includes a plurality of third
guides (pressing rollers 13) and a plurality of loading guides 21.
Each of the plurality of first guides and the plurality of second
guide (heating rollers 11), and the plurality of third guides
(pressing rollers 13) includes rollers.
[0114] The conveyance path 20 includes a first path Y1 defined by
an outer region of the plurality of first guides and the plurality
of second guides (heating rollers 11) arranged in the circular arc
shape and a second path Y2 defined by an inner region of the
plurality of first guides and the plurality of the second guide
(heating rollers 11) arranged in the circular arc shape. The
plurality of third guides (pressing rollers 13) and the plurality
of loading guides 21 are disposed in the second path Y2 to form the
second path Y2.
[0115] The medium (continuous sheet) 110 is first conveyed through
the first path Y1 while contacting the outer region of the
plurality of first guides and the plurality of second guides
(heating rollers 11) and then conveyed through the second path Y2
while contacting the inner region of the plurality of first guides
and the plurality of second guides (heating rollers 11).
[0116] Next, a second embodiment of the conveyor 300 according to
the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG.
15 is a front view of the conveyor 300.
[0117] The present embodiment includes a roller holder 49 that
rotatably holds both ends of the pressing roller 13 disposed in the
gap 42 formed between the two side plates 40. The loading guide 21
is held movably in an axial direction with respect to the side
plates 40.
[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 15 A, the loading guides 21 guides
the continuous sheet 110 when the pressing roller 13 is retracted
to the retracted position and the loading guide 21 is moving to the
guiding position to support the lower side of the continuous sheet
110.
[0119] From this state, the loading guide 21 is pulled out until
the tip of the loading guide 21 is positioned in the gap 42 when
the pressing roller 13 moves to the pressing position as
illustrated in FIG. 15B. This prevents the pressing roller 13 to
interfere with the loading guide 21 when the pressing roller 13
moves to the pressing position.
[0120] Next, a third embodiment of the conveyor 300 according to
the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG.
16 is a schematic side view of the loading guide according to the
third embodiment.
[0121] The loading guide 21 illustrated in FIG. 16A includes a
guide 21a having a curved shape concaved toward the pressing roller
(third guide) 13.
[0122] As a result, when the leading end of the continuous sheet
110 contacts the guide 21a, a conveying direction of the continuous
sheet 110 is bent in a direction toward an outer periphery of a
downstream heating roller 11b as illustrated by the broken
line.
[0123] Thus, the continuous sheet 110 is smoothly conveyed to the
outer periphery of the downstream heating roller 11b. Here, an
upstream side of the heating roller 11a is referred to as "an
upstream heating roller 11a", and a downstream side of the heating
roller 11b is referred to as "a downstream heating roller 11b".
[0124] The loading guide 21 illustrated in FIG. 16B has a
tray-shaped guide 21b, both ends of which are concaved toward the
pressing roller 13 and has a wall 21c rising obliquely on the
downstream in the medium conveyance direction. The loading guide 21
serves as a conveyance guide of the continuous sheet 110.
[0125] As a result, the leading end of the continuous sheet 110 is
fed and brought into contact with the tray-shaped guide 21b. Thus,
the traveling direction is bent toward the outer periphery of the
downstream heating roller 11b as illustrated by the broken line in
FIG. 16B. Thus, the leading end of the continuous sheet 110 is sent
smoothly to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream heating
roller 11b.
[0126] The loading guide 21 as illustrated in FIG. 16C has a guide
21d inclined to rise toward an upper surface of the downstream
heating roller 11b along a common inner tangent line between the
upstream heating roller 11a and the downstream heating roller 11b.
The common inner tangent line is a line connecting the upper
surface of the downstream heating roller 11a and a lower surface of
the upstream heating roller 11a. The inclination of the guide 21a
is not limited to be the same as the inclination of the common
inner tangent line. As a result, the leading end of the continuous
sheet 110 is brought into contact with the guide 21a while the
continuous sheet 110 is fed to the conveyor 300. Thus, the
traveling direction of the continuous sheet 110 is bent toward the
outer periphery of the downstream heating roller 11b as illustrated
by the broken line in FIG. 16C. Thus, the continuous sheet 110 is
smoothly conveyed to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream
heating roller 11b.
[0127] A third embodiment of the conveyor 302 according to the
present disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 17A and
17B. FIGS. 17A and 17B are side views of the conveyor 302.
[0128] In this embodiment, the conveyor 302 includes a plurality
(here, three) of rollers 51 (51a to 51c in this case) and a
plurality of pressing rollers 53 arranged between two adjacent
rollers 51. The plurality of rollers 51 serves as the first guide
and the second guide described above. The plurality of pressing
rollers 53 serves as the third guide described above. The conveyor
302 includes loading guides 56 located between the two adjacent
rollers 51. The loading guides 56 are disposed between the two
adjacent rollers 51 to face the pressing rollers.
[0129] The pressing rollers 53 are movable between a pressing
position as illustrated in FIG. 17B and a retracted position as
illustrated in FIG. 17A in a direction indicated by arrow in FIGS.
17A and 17B. The pressing rollers 53 form a non-linear (folded
shaped) conveyance path 20 between the rollers 51 at the pressing
position. The pressing rollers 53 retract from the conveyance path
20 at a retracted position.
[0130] The medium 60 is pressed against the rollers 51 by moving
the pressing rollers 53 to the pressing position as illustrated in
FIG. 17B. Thus, the non-linear conveyance path 20 is defined by the
rollers 51. Further, as the pressing rollers 53 move to the
retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 17A, the pressing rollers
53 separate from the common external tangent of the rollers 51.
[0131] The loading guides 56 move to a guiding position for guiding
the medium 60 as illustrated in FIG. 17A when loading the medium 60
in the apparatus. The loading guides 56 move to a retracted
position at which the loading guides 56 does not guide the medium
60 as illustrated in FIG. 17B when the medium 60 is conveyed.
[0132] In the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 14,
the continuous sheet 110 contacts two places (outer region Y1 and
inner region Y2) of the heating rollers 11 at the same time.
However, unlike the first embodiment, the third embodiment can
retract the loading guides 56 to a position opposite the pressing
rollers 53 since the medium 60 contacts only upper surfaces (inner
region Y2) of the rollers 51.
[0133] Therefore, the present embodiment has a configuration in
which the loading guides 56 move between the guiding position and
the retracted position only by ascending and descending the loading
guides 56.
[0134] In this case, the present embodiment may have a
configuration in which the pressing rollers 53 and the loading
guides 56 may have a common moving mechanism. The pressing rollers
53 and the loading guides 56 may ascend and descend as a single
unit by rotating the above-mentioned manual hand wheel 75 to drive
the common moving mechanism.
[0135] In each of the above-described embodiments, the first guide,
the second guide, and the third guide are described as rollers.
However, the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide of
the present disclosure are not limited to rollers. For example, the
first guide, the second guide, and the third guide may be
configured with a curved member. As an example of the curved member
is a curved surface heater, for example, if the first guide, the
second guide, and the third guide are heaters.
[0136] A printer 1010 according to a fourth embodiment of the
present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18
is a schematic front view of the printer 1010. The printer 1010
includes a feeding roller 102, a first printer 1001, a reversing
unit 1003, a second printer 1002, and a winding roller 105. The
first printer 1001, a reversing unit 1003, and a second printer
1002 are disposed between the feeding roller 102 and the winding
roller 105.
[0137] The first printer 1001 performs printing and drying of a
first surface of the continuous sheet 110. The reversing unit 1003
reverses the first surface of the continuous sheet 110, to which
image is printed by the first printer 1001, to a second surface of
the continuous sheet 110. The second printer 1002 performs printing
and drying of the second surface of the continuous sheet 110.
[0138] The configuration of the liquid applier 101, the conveyance
unit 103, and the dryer 104 of the first printer 1001 and the
second printer 1002 is approximately identical to the configuration
of the first embodiment. However, the configuration is not limited
to the first embodiment, and other configurations may be
applied.
[0139] Here, the liquid applier 101 of the first printer 1001 is a
first liquid applier to apply the liquid onto the first surface of
the continuous sheet 110 that is the medium to be conveyed. Here,
the liquid applier 101 of the second printer 1002 is a second
liquid applier to apply the liquid onto the second surface opposite
the first surface of the continuous sheet 110 that is the medium to
be conveyed.
[0140] The dryer 104 of the first printer 1001 is a first dryer to
which the second surface of the continuous sheet 110 contacts the
heating roller 11. The dryer 104 of the second printer 1002 is a
second dryer to which the first surface of the continuous sheet 110
contacts the heating roller 11.
[0141] When a liquid discharge head is used as the liquid
applicator, examples of an energy source for generating energy to
discharge liquid include a piezoelectric actuator (a laminated
piezoelectric element or a thin-film piezoelectric element), a
thermal actuator that employs a thermoelectric conversion element,
such as a heating resistor (element), and an electrostatic actuator
including a diaphragm and opposed electrodes.
[0142] The terms "image formation", "recording", "printing", "image
printing", and "fabricating" used herein may be used synonymously
with each other.
[0143] Herein, the liquid to be applied to the medium to be
conveyed is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the
liquid has a viscosity of less than or equal to 30 mPas under
normal temperature and at normal pressure or by being heated or
cooled.
[0144] Examples of the liquid include a solution, a suspension, or
an emulsion including, for example, a solvent, such as water or an
organic solvent, a colorant, such as dye or pigment, a functional
material, such as a polymerizable compound, a resin, or a
surfactant, a biocompatible material, such as DNA, amino acid,
protein, or calcium, and an edible material, such as a natural
colorant.
[0145] Such a solution, suspension, or emulsion can be, e.g.,
inkjet ink, surface treatment solution, a liquid for forming
components of electronic element or light-emitting element or a
resist pattern of electronic circuit, or a material solution for
three-dimensional fabrication.
[0146] "A liquid discharge device" is an integrated unit including
the head and a functional part(s) or unit(s), and is an assembly of
parts relating to liquid discharge. For example, "the liquid
discharge device" may be a combination of the head with at least
one of a head tank, a carriage, a supply unit, a maintenance unit,
and a drive unit.
[0147] Herein, the terms "integrated" or "united" mean fixing the
head and the functional parts (or mechanism) to each other by
fastening, screwing, binding, or engaging and holding one of the
head and the functional parts movably relative to the other. The
head may be detachably attached to the functional part(s) or
unit(s) each other.
[0148] For example, the head and a head tank may be integrated into
a single unit as the liquid discharge device. The head and the head
tank may be connected each other via, e.g., a tube to integrally
form the liquid discharge device. Here, a unit including a filter
may further be added to a portion between the head tank and the
head of the liquid discharge device.
[0149] The liquid discharge device may be an integrated unit in
which a head is integrated with a carriage.
[0150] The liquid discharge device may be the head movably held by
a guide that forms part of a drive unit, so that the head and the
drive unit are integrated as a single unit. The liquid discharge
device may include the head, the carriage, and the drive unit that
are integrated as a single unit.
[0151] In another example, a cap that forms part of a maintenance
unit is secured to the carriage mounting the head so that the head,
the carriage, and the maintenance unit are integrated as a single
unit to form the liquid discharge device.
[0152] Further, the liquid discharge device may include tubes
connected to the head mounted on the head tank or the channel
member so that the head and the supply unit are integrated as a
single unit. Liquid is supplied from a liquid reservoir source such
as liquid cartridge to the head through the tube.
[0153] The drive unit may be a guide only. The supply unit may be a
tube(s) only or a mount part (loading unit) only.
[0154] The term "liquid discharge apparatus" used herein also
represents an apparatus including the head or the liquid discharge
device to discharge liquid by driving the head. The liquid
discharge apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus capable of
discharging liquid onto a material to which liquid can adhere or an
apparatus to discharge liquid into a gas or another liquid.
[0155] The "liquid discharge apparatus" may include devices to
feed, convey, and eject the material to which liquid can adhere.
The liquid discharge apparatus may further include a pretreatment
apparatus to coat a treatment liquid onto the material, and a
post-treatment apparatus to coat a treatment liquid onto the
material, on which the liquid has been discharged.
[0156] The "liquid discharge apparatus" may be, for example, an
image forming apparatus to form an image on a sheet by discharging
ink, or a three-dimensional fabricating apparatus to discharge a
fabrication liquid onto a powder layer in which powder material is
formed in layers, so as to form a three-dimensional fabrication
object.
[0157] In addition, "the liquid discharge apparatus" is not limited
to such an apparatus to form and visualize meaningful images, such
as letters or figures, with discharged liquid. For example, the
liquid discharge apparatus may be an apparatus to form meaningless
images, such as meaningless patterns, or fabricate
three-dimensional images.
[0158] The above-described term "material on which liquid can be
adhered" represents a material on which liquid is at least
temporarily adhered, a material on which liquid is adhered and
fixed, or a material into which liquid is adhered to permeate.
[0159] Examples of the "medium on which liquid can be adhered"
include recording media, such as paper sheet, recording paper,
recording sheet of paper, film, and cloth, electronic component,
such as electronic substrate, a wooden or plastic board, and
piezoelectric element, and media, such as powder layer, organ
model, and testing cell.
[0160] Examples of the "material on which liquid can be adhered"
include any materials on which liquid can be adhered even
temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal,
plastic, glass, wood, and ceramic.
[0161] "The liquid discharge apparatus" may be an apparatus to
relatively move a head and a medium on which liquid can be adhered.
However, the liquid discharge apparatus is not limited to such an
apparatus. For example, the liquid discharge apparatus may be a
serial head apparatus that moves the head or a line head apparatus
that does not move the head. Examples of "the liquid discharge
apparatus" further include a treatment liquid coating apparatus to
discharge a treatment liquid onto a sheet surface to coat the sheet
surface with the treatment liquid to reform the sheet surface and
an injection granulation apparatus to eject a composition liquid
including a raw material dispersed in a solution from a nozzle to
mold particles of the raw material.
[0162] The terms "image formation", "recording", "printing", "image
printing", and "fabricating" used herein may be used synonymously
with each other.
[0163] Numerous additional modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that, within the scope of the above teachings, the
present disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. With some embodiments having thus been described,
it is obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of
the present disclosure and appended claims, and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
present disclosure and appended claims.
* * * * *